Press Releases

AMARILLO, Texas. – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure recently presented Excellence Awards to teams supporting infrastructure at Y-12 National Security Complex and the Pantex Plant. The annual award program recognizes teams and individuals for infrastructure-related accomplishments that advance the NNSA mission. Three teams from the Y-12 National Security Complex and four teams at the Pantex Plant were recognized for work completed in Fiscal Year 2023.

The award-winning teams are made up of Consolidated Nuclear Security employees from Pantex and Y-12 as well as NNSA’s Y-12 and Pantex field offices. The infrastructure improvements they were recognized for ranged from operations to emergency response support.

“These award-winning projects highlight our outstanding commitment to improve facilities and infrastructure in order to continue safe and secure delivery to our wide variety of customers,” NS Chief Operations Officer Chris Harkins said. “Recognition from NNSA reinforces that our teams are among the top in the nation.”

Pantex projects include upgrades, replacements, and rapid response

The Pantex projects receiving awards included bay and cell upgrades, equipment replacements, and a quick-turn electrical outage.

NNSA’s Office of Infrastructure ensures the existing buildings and systems we have are safely operated, effectively managed, and that the facilities being added are adequately maintained to meet mission needs,” Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong said. “These individuals have raised the bar of mission success for many years to come.”

The Pantex Bay and Cell Portfolio is a multiyear suite of projects to upgrade the bays and cells where Pantex performs critical assembly and disassembly work. A team working two projects in the portfolio, the High-Pressure Fire Loop and the Flame Detection System, delivered more systems in less time than expected, allowing additional availability for mission work.

Two teams replaced aging equipment on site. The first team demonstrated exceptional agility, timeliness, and collaboration to find and install a new air compressor after an aging air compressor failed. The second team removed combustibles and repaired a fire protection system and associated utilities in a vital operations facility 17 weeks ahead of schedule with a
perfect safety record.

Finally, another Pantex team completed a complicated series of electrical switching and system impairments flawlessly, safely, and in record time in response to a cable failure.

These projects highlight the breadth and caliber of work at Pantex and Y-12 as the sites continue infrastructure modernization efforts.

Y-12 projects include new facilities, process improvements

The award-winning projects at Y-12 included the new operations center and fire station as well as shipping and receiving improvements.

“Infrastructure work impacts the mission, but it also has an intensely personal impact for every employee on site,” Y-12 Field Office Manager Mary Helen Hitson said. “Each of these projects, while impressive in their own rights, directly improve employee safety, security, and morale.”

One team replaced two 1940s-era facilities on-site, the Y-12 Fire Station and Operations Center. The new emergency services buildings modernize operations and improve quality of work-life for first responders who occupy facilities around the clock, 365 days a year. The work, completed as an NNSA pilot program for construction, successfully demonstrated that a similar construction approach can be applied at other sites.

Two teams responded to ongoing challenges in shipping and receiving. The first drove wireless capability installation to track real-time shipments using laptops and tablets, reducing delivery time by 25%. The second developed the first ever overarching program for disposal of material, creating and revising procedures, training users, and conducting assessments.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

This West Interconnect Recovery team was honored with an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure for successfully completing a complicated outage 4 weeks ahead of schedule.

Two teams were honored for replacing equipment in bays and cells, both earning an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Infrastructure. The team pictured above worked on upgrades to the Flame Detection System and six High-Pressure Fire Loop systems. The team below performed necessary maintenance to cells.

This team was honored with an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Infrastructure for the replacement of an aging air compressor. They worked through delays and supply-chain issues to make this replacement happen.

Two teams were honored for replacing equipment in bays and cells, both earning an Excellence Award from the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Infrastructure. The team pictured above worked on upgrades to the Flame Detection System and six High-Pressure Fire Loop systems. The team below performed necessary maintenance to cells.

Donation replaces city’s damaged emergency vehicle

AMARILLO, Texas– On June 15, 2023, the town of Perryton was hit by an EF-3 tornado, killing three people, and causing millions of dollars in damage, including the Perryton Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services station.

That night, Pantex received a call from Carson County officials, asking if emergency assistance could be sent to Perryton, according to Pantex Fire Chief Mike Brock. “We received the request a few hours after the tornado hit. Even though Perryton is not in our mutual aid area, the request came from one of our mutual aid partners, and we responded with an ambulance. If able, we are always happy to assist when needed in any of our Panhandle area communities.”

During that storm, Perryton’s only ambulance was destroyed. The ambulance Pantex originally sent to Perryton for assistance had just replaced an older ambulance and was due to be excessed. CNS and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) agreed to loan Perryton the use of the excessed ambulance for a year through an Agreement in Principle with the state of Texas.

“When the question was raised about further assistance by getting an ambulance to them, everyone involved--from headquarters to the firefighters who dropped the ambulance off -- never wavered in their commitment to help out neighbors across the region,” said Pantex Field Office Manager Jason Armstrong.

In addition, CNS reached back out to NNSA to determine if additional assistance could be provided, including transferring ownership of the loaned ambulance to Perryton. Almost a year to the day later, Pantex received word on June 24 of this year that the loaned ambulance has been permanently transferred to the city of Perryton.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pxy12.doe.gov

Pantex employees (from left to right) Brandy Morgan, Matthew Rainey, and Amy King of Kiesler Police Supply, Inc.

AMARILLO, Tx. – Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) honored Kiesler Police Supply, Inc. and Manhattan Legacy Service, LLC, as Small Businesses of the Year for fiscal year 2023. Kiesler Police Supply has provided Pantex with supplies for the site’s Protective Force since 2015. Manhattan Legacy Service has supported the Y-12 National Security Complex since 2017 by providing business and technical services.

Kiesler delivers critical items

“It was a wonderful surprise to win this award,” Kiesler representative Amy King said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to actually meet some of the people I work with on a regular basis via phone and e-mail.”

Kiesler was nominated by Matthew Rainey of Supply Chain Management, who said Kiesler is proactive and provides great customer service to Pantex.

“Kiesler Police Supply has been instrumental in procuring equipment for ProForce,” he said. “Over the last year, they have been able to assist us in meeting our ammunition needs and have always been willing to go the extra mile for us. They have also delivered ahead of schedule on some critical items that were impacted by supply chain issues. Kiesler continues to work to find solutions for us on items that are becoming increasingly hard to procure due to global strains on supply.”

Dedication to small businesses

CNS continued its commitment to small businesses in 2023, spending more than $500 million with small businesses. Y-12 spent more than $400 million with small businesses, including $134 million in the East Tennessee region. Pantex spent $138.2 million with small businesses, including $75.4 million spent in the Amarillo area.

Protégé excels

In 2021, Manhattan Legacy Service (MLS) signed a mentor-protégé agreement with Y-12. This agreement helped the company grow their business and provide knowledgeable and experienced employees to CNS. The company also received assistance from APEX Accelerator, which assists businesses in competing in federal, state and local government contracting.

On winning the award, Diana West, president and CEO of MLS, said, “This is the result of the knowledgeable and experienced employees who continue to be dedicated to providing quality service to Consolidated Nuclear Security. As a protégé of the Mentor-Protégé program, MLS could not have been this successful without the assistance of not only the mentor, Bill Barrett of Y-12 Field Intelligence, but also Greta Ownby of Y-12 Small Business, Jutta Bangs of APEX Accelerator, and the Y-12 Procurement group.”

“Exceptional company”

Kelli Culp of Y-12 Procurement nominated MLS for Small Business of the Year.

“The owner and her team are dependable, efficient, and easy to work with—an exceptional company overall,” she said.

MLS provides consultation, guidance, knowledge, and expertise to Y-12 and other U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) prime contractors. In 2023, their personnel mentored new employees in the NNSA Office of Defense Programs Strategic Materials Production Modernization, providing valuable background and perspective in national security.

MLS also provided technical and programmatic nuclear nonproliferation support for CNS Program Integration. Further, through the precious metal recycle and reuse program, MLS has saved DOE approximately $1.2 million. By identifying and removing difficult materials that have been stored for more than 20 years, MLS has and continues to open space for CNS’s reuse.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Corporate and employee contributions totaled more than $100,000

AMARILLO, Texas– Fundraising efforts following the largest Panhandle area wildfires in Texas history have concluded at Pantex. Corporate donations along with employee contributions and local fundraising efforts has resulted in $101,036 dollars being raised for local wildfire relief.

Bechtel-led Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, the management and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, joined with its parent companies in fundraising efforts at Pantex. The charitable arm of CNS parent company Bechtel, the Bechtel Group Foundation donated $25,000 to Hutchinson County United Way, matching up to $25,000 in additional funds donated by its employees around the world and Leidos, a CNS parent company, also donated $10,000 to the United Way of Hutchinson County, along with other corporate donations.

Pantex hosted fundraisers from the sales of commemorative t-shirts as well a portion of food sales from Pantex’s cafeteria along with more than a dozen food trucks onsite.

While there was no damage to Pantex property and no Pantex employees were injured at the plant as the wildfires abated about three miles from the plant’s boundary, the Pantex Fire Department built firebreaks, prepared the plant for the fires, and responded to communities near the plant.

“Thanks to the swift efforts, properties were protected and Pantex remained safe,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex Site Manager. “There has been an outpouring of Panhandle pride and spirit through donations, volunteer efforts, and assistance coming in from all over the area and across the state. We wanted to show our own support to our communities in need through our own fundraising efforts.”

The donated funds have been presented to the United Way of Hutchinson County and the Amarillo Area Foundation for distribution.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pxy12.doe.gov

More than 4,600 now employed at Pantex

AMARILLO, Texas– More than eight decades ago, during World War II, the Pantex Ordnance plant was a major contributor during the global conflict. At its height in January 1943, Pantex employed 5,254 full time employees. When WWII ended, Pantex closed its doors. Then in 1951 the Federal Government reclaimed the site, creating the cornerstone of the nuclear weapons complex.
Since 1975, Pantex has been the nation’s primary assembly, disassembly, retrofit, and modification center for nuclear weapons. The total number of employees has changed throughout the decades. Ten years ago, it remained consistent with approximately 3,100 employees. That number has increased dramatically over the last few years as hundreds of new employees have been hired at Pantex.

“That growth is simply explained,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex Site Manager. “Our workload has increased and with that increase – the need to bring on hundreds of new Pantexans to meet production demands. It became obvious that our work force would have to grow to match the more than 70% increase in our work load. We’ve been hiring ever since and now at of the most recent count, Pantex has 4,626 employees.”

According to Pantex Field Office Manager, Jason Armstrong, “The economic impact of Pantex on our community – and the entire Panhandle – cannot be overstated. It’s something we’re very proud of. We rely on Pantexans daily to deliver our national security deterrent by combining their unique talents and abilities, driven by their deep sense of patriotism and dedication. What also cannot be overstated is the importance of Pantex. In light of today’s real-world geopolitical conditions, our responsibility to deliver on our mission to enable global security is absolutely vital. It’s the growing number of Pantexans who make that happen.”

According to Yeary, growth at Pantex will continue. “As we continue to move forward—we continue to grow in numbers and scope within the community. Later this year, we are going to house 300 employees in the city Amarillo to accommodate expansion and teleworking. We will continue with our modernization programs, including an increased workload and work force,” he said.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pxy12.doe.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) announced today it has selected PanTeXas Deterrence, LLC for the Management and Operating (M&O) contract for the Pantex Plant located in Amarillo, Texas.

PanTeXas Deterrence is a limited liability company, which consists of BWXT Technical Services Group, Inc. (BWXT TSG); Fluor Federal Services, Inc. (Fluor); SOC LLC (SOC); and the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS).

All media inquires should be directed to Mig Owens, Pantex Field Office.

Read the full release on the NNSA website.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Pantex develops weather app

AMARILLO, Texas– When it comes to weather in the Texas Panhandle, what’s happening at one location may be completely different than conditions only a few miles away. For the more than 4,500+ Pantex employees, weather onsite can be vastly different than what is occurring at their homes.

As the nation’s primary assembly, disassembly, and life-extension center for nuclear weapons, weather events at Pantex can impact both workers and production, so having access to real-time meteorological data across the entire region is paramount to everyone’s safety.

To address regional weather events, Pantex Meteorologist Steve Kersh is working with school districts and private landowners to refurbish and upgrade area-wide weather stations formerly maintained by a local TV station. These sites include new weather and lightning-detection software providing real-time data on wind speed, temperature, rainfall, and lightning from each location, which is now available to the public on the StrikeNet© website.

Pantex also initiated development of the StrikeNet© weather app, which is free and available to the public on Google Play and the App Store.

On both the StrikeNet© website and app, all available weather data are listed in its drop-down menu. For example, when lightning maps are enabled, the strikes are represented by the lightning symbol, with the most current strikes in the red circle and the estimated distance from Pantex indicated on the symbol itself.

“Severe weather can have a direct impact on Pantex operations, both from a safety standpoint for our employees and for our mission. Enhancing capabilities that track weather events to specific locations using our newly developed sensors is a huge step forward for the site and our surrounding area,” said Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary.

Initially,10 sites signed up to the StrikeNet© network including schools, homes, ranches, and businesses, with an additional 11 sites quickly added. School officials indicate that the lightning detection data would be used to help with determining whether to seek shelter if and when thunderstorms approach during regular school hours and extracurricular events, while ranchers and farmers can access real-time weather conditions aiding in crop and livestock production.

Pantex views StrikeNet© as an opportunity to offer accurate and localized weather information to Texas Panhandle residents, internet users, and weather station owners at no cost.

Video Press Release available

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

In February 2019, Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) self-reported to the Government that it believed certain employees at the Pantex Plant had improperly claimed and been paid for hours they did not work.

After extensive investigations by both CNS and the federal government, CNS has agreed to repay the government $18.4 million for its employees’ overcharging and has fired those employees who engaged in this egregious misconduct.

CNS initially discovered suspicious activity as it implemented process efficiencies and improved payroll systems. CNS promptly disclosed the issue to the Government, and then CNS fully cooperated with the Government’s investigation through numerous actions, including:

• Providing up-to-date information to the government regarding the nature of the improperly charged hours, the personnel involved in the mischarging, and the potential financial impact to the NNSA;
• Identifying individuals with potential awareness of relevant information or conduct and facilitating interviews of those individuals;
• Preserving relevant documents and electronic information and facilitating their review by Government investigators;
• Undertaking extensive measures to guard against the possible reoccurrence of similar misconduct.

CNS’s cooperation with the investigation and its remedial actions—which included terminating employees—were positively recognized by the Department of Justice and taken into consideration as part of the settlement.

CNS remains dedicated to its mission of ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile in support of the Nation’s nuclear deterrent—and to delivering its mission to the highest standards of excellence, ethics, and integrity.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Todd Jacobson
Communications
Office (865) 574.9077
Cell (865) 320.2818

Todd.Jacobson@y12nsc.doe.gov

Sites recognized for sustainable purchasing

The Pantex Plant received a GreenBuy Gold Award for sustainable purchasing. Accepting the award, pictured left to right, are Brad Russell, Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Sustainability and Stewardship program manager; Alicia Barley, Pantex Environmental Compliance manager; Cate Berard, program manager of the Electronics Stewardship and Data Centers for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Sustainable Environmental Stewardship; and Shab Fardanesh, senior advisor and coordinator of the Sustainable Acquisition Program for the DOE Office of Sustainable Environmental Stewardship.

Amarillo, Texas- The Pantex Plant in Amarillo and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, turned green into gold with GreenBuy Gold Awards from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for sustainable purchasing in Fiscal Year 2023. The awards recognize excellence in “green purchasing” that extends beyond minimum compliance.

Sites have history of award-winning efforts

This was the fourth year Pantex has been honored with GreenBuy awards for sustainable purchasing and the first time the plant has achieved the gold level. Pantex purchased 10 priority products in 5 categories to achieve this honor.

Y-12 has been honored with GreenBuy awards for five years. This year, the site was recognized for purchasing nine priority products in five categories. The site was also honored with a GreenBuy Prime Award for achieving the gold level for three consecutive years.

Shab Fardanesh, senior advisor and Sustainable Acquisition Program coordinator for the DOE Office of Sustainable Environmental Stewardship noted, “Participation in this program leverages the federal government’s purchasing dollars to achieve mission goals while improving the marketplace for greener products and reducing the environmental impact of the department’s operations.”

Achieving the mission while reducing environmental impact

“Both sites achieved these awards by demonstrating excellence in sustainable acquisition for recycling electronics and purchasing paper products, electronic equipment, Y-12’s LED emergency lighting on the two new fire trucks, etc., as priority products,” said Jan Jackson, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) Sustainability and Stewardship manager.

Advantages of going green

Brad Russell, CNS Sustainable Acquisition program manager, also pointed out an employee-education achievement that the awards highlighted. “These awards recognize that the CNS Sustainable Acquisition Program trained 297 employees at Pantex and Y-12 involved in specifying and procuring materials, products, and services during Fiscal Year 2023,” he said.

“Reducing the environmental impact of the sites’ mission activities is always a goal. Having those efforts validated by DOE helps us communicate the important impact of green purchasing.”

Learn more about the GreenBuy Award Program and its recognition of DOE sites for their excellence in “green purchasing.”

The Y-12 National Security Complex has been honored with GreenBuy awards for five years. This year, the site was recognized at the gold level for purchasing nine priority products in five categories. The site was also honored with a GreenBuy Prime Award for achieving the gold level for three consecutive years.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Teams recognized for contributions to national security

Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary welcomed the honorees at the Defense Programs Awards of Excellence ceremony held at Pantex.

Amarillo, Texas— The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recognized eight teams at the Pantex Plant and the Y 12 National Security Complex with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence. The winning teams contributed to national security by meeting or exceeding the mission criteria established for the sites. More than 200 Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) employees were honored for their work on the team projects.

The Defense Programs Awards of Excellence were established in 1982 to recognize significant individual and team accomplishments in support of the NNSA nuclear weapons program. An executive review panel meets annually to select the winners.

At a ceremony to recognize the winners in Amarillo, Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary said, “Because of the mission that we have been assigned to fulfill at Pantex, excellence is not an expectation, but a requirement. The recipients of these Defense Programs Awards are a prime example of meeting that requirement.”

At a similar ceremony, Y-12 Site Manager Gene Sievers said, “Representatives from Defense Programs select Awards of Excellence winners from a large number of applications from across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. These folks know the positive impacts of your work, and the awards you’re receiving today are a clear recognition that you are making a difference for our nation.”

Awards recognize significant contributions to national security

CNS President and CEO Rich Tighe said, “If we ever needed a reminder that the nuclear deterrent is the foundation of our nation’s defense, it was reiterated in October with the report of the Strategic Posture Commission showing just how significant this work is.”

Consolidated Nuclear Security President and CEO Rich Tighe addressed employees who were honored with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Teresa Robbins, NNSAY-12 Field Office manager, praised the honorees saying, “You’re committed to the mission. You’re committed to making things work, and you’re committed to doing it in an excellent fashion.”

“One of the values we share here is the value of continuous improvement and excellence. These awards recognize that value. I am thankful that you are here every day getting the work done to protect our nation,” Robbins added.

When presenting the awards, John Evans, NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Stockpile Management, said, “We honor these teams, who through tireless work and sacrifices, have continued the standard of excellence.”

New capability, more efficient training at Pantex

At Pantex, the three honored projects included standing up a new capability, tackling material demand issues, and ensuring production technicians are appropriately trained and ready to contribute more quickly. Specific information about the projects follows:

• Pantex was able to stand up scaled production of a new explosive material for the first time since 2006 with the help of the High Explosives Pilot-Scale Manufacturing team. The group helped support milestones with manufacturing readiness of explosive material reproduction in-house at Pantex, producing quality products that are vital to the mission in a timely manner.
• The Weapon Material Program team implemented new tools and process improvement to face material demands. The site and operations have already greatly benefited from the team’s efforts.
• The Organizational Development and Training Support of Enhanced Training/Onboarding team created a more effective and efficient training plan for production technicians. By enriching lesson plans and reducing training times, the team’s efforts resulted in production technicians being able to start work on mission deliverables more quickly.

Ensuring mission delivery at Y-12

The five Y-12 projects that received awards incorporated significant productivity improvements and measures, which will ensure the site continues to deliver for national security for decades to come. Brief summaries of the projects follow:

• The Building 9201-01 Can Shop Improvements team facilitated the successful completion of several important deliverables, including fabrication of the first complete set of can components for the W87-1 Life Extension Program.
• Through the Advancement of Direct Cast Technology Maturation team, Y-12 will be able to meet mission requirements in the 2030s. In collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Y-12 completed the technology demonstration requirements and met all Fiscal Year 2022 program milestones.
• In anticipation of a shortage of hardware, the Canned Subassembly Simulator Development Project was started. The team completed the project from assignment to assembly in 10 months, which is a record for this type of product.
• Ensuring Y-12 is prepared to meet the nation’s demands requires accurate forecasts and modeling. The Strategic Process Modeling Accomplishments team helped lead the Nuclear Security Enterprise in material supply-demand and production capacity analysis.
• The Weapons Production Machining Productivity Improvement team moved a component from a five-axis machine tool to a more modern standardized milling platform. Using off-the-shelf tooling, new programming, and more modern machines produced what may be the greatest machining improvement in the last 30 years at Y-12. A process that used to require 4 different machines and 50 hours per part now uses 1 machine and requires 4 hours per part.

Carlos Alvarado, Pantex Field Office Deputy Manager, presented the Defense Programs Awards of Excellence to employees at the Pantex ceremony.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov